Celebrate joy!

A few weeks ago, we went to Mt. Nagpatong in Rizal... if you're looking for a quick getaway climb, Rizal has a lot of mountains, peaks and formations to choose from. This one's a day trip and since I love falls, we also decided to take a side trip to Tungtong falls. Yahoooo! Ang tanong ng bayan: Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng trek sa hike?   (thanks Mhe for this phone in question) Googl e says:  Hiking is an outdoor activity of walking in beautiful natural environments on pre-charted paths called hiking trails. There are day hikes and overnight hikes. Trekking is a long journey be undertaken on foot in areas where there are usually no means of transport available. Trekking is not necessarily mountaineering; it is walking for a number of days, usually on uncharted paths, in challenging environments which are likely to be hilly or mountainous. In short, mas mahirap at pang-Amazona ang trekking. #yunlangyun The crew: Mhe, Kuya Tour Guide, Dennis, Fevie, Jib, Me a...

Two Saturdays ago, we went up Mt. Batulao for a day hike. We were praying for good weather because it has been consistently pouring for days. So as a semi-newbie group of hikers, we knew it would be more challenging to take on muddy and slippery trails so we were hoping that the skies would clear that day. Thank God that it did! Of course, I am now typing this with uneven tanned lines (sumobrang clear naman ata ng skies haha) but my sunblock-lathering skills were more to blame than the sun. (I'll post tips on what to wear and what to bring on the next post) Quick Deets Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9 Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault Features: Open trails, rolling slopes, scenic views of Batangas

As promised, here are more photos of our hiking trip last month. Aside from the two mountains we were able to climb (lakas! Haha! ...Which were actually just beside each other :)) , we also dropped by Layong Bato River wherein we washed our sweaty and muddy feet. When you have been walking for miles, you don't know how refreshing it is the moment you dip your feet into the water. You just want to bring out soap and shampoo if only that were allowed.  ...and buko juice is love! We were asked to carry at least 1 liter of water, which is not enough if you suddenly decide to climb two mountains instead of one (we did not think this through, guys)... So grateful that they sell buko juice upon descending Mt. Apayang for our thirsty throats.

The mountains were beckoning -- so we planned a hiking trip to Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu Batangas. I almost didn't make it on this trip -- because I have been coughing like crazy days before. But good thing both my democratic parents and my stubborn will were at work on the eve of the trip so I was able to go! Hooray! We were all beginners so we were glad to take on the 3/10 difficulty level of the trail. When we arrived at the campsite however, the guide was happy to offer us an upgrade (nasa sales ka ba dati kuya?): Climb two mountains, instead of one, for the price of P500! Are we up for it?